Racing breeders lose champion hope in arson

A horse that breeders hoped could one day win the Welsh Grand National has been killed in an arson attack.

Rodney, a two-year-old gelding, died and Juwirey, its mother, nine, was injured as the stable in Cefn Fforest, Caerphilly, was destroyed early yesterday. Janet and Brian Vokes, their owners, had previously won the National with Dream Alliance, whose victory was turned into a film.

Rodney was due to race under the name Impossible Dream. Mrs Vokes said: “We are totally heartbroken. You can’t imagine how anyone could do it.”

Both the fire service and Gwent Police are investigating.